It certainly has been a wild, frightening and emotional couple of weeks in the U.S. It all began with the unthinkable taking place at one of America’s most prized and world-watched events – the Boston Marathon. What’s typically a wonderful, fun-filled annual event full of athletes, families and running enthusiasts quickly turned into a horrific melee of fear, disbelief and horror.

Then there were ricin-contaminated envelopes that were mailed to the President and a U.S. senator, and finally the huge, devastating explosion at a fertilizer plant in West Texas. These three news stories dominated headlines, filled our TV screens and occupied our minds the most in recent days.

Frankly, I was beginning to feel battle fatigue because there seemed to be no escape from the mayhem.

Strangely, as a result of all the attention being focused on the death, fear, injury and destruction created by the magnitude of these three headlining events, I began to think smaller and closer to home. While my heart goes out to all those whose lives were lost or forever changed by these recent events, they also reminded me of all those battles being fought privately in homes across the country.

I found myself thinking about the person fighting cancer or another life-threatening illness at home or in a hospital bed. The people recovering from some unforeseen accident or injury that has forever changed their life. Those learning to live a single life again after being blindsided by an unanticipated break-up or divorce. All those people dealing with the death of someone close to them and facing the reality of never seeing their loved one again. Parents silently agonizing about how to help their wayward children, who have inexplicably gone astray. Or the spouses and families of those on active military duty who live in constant fear and worry about the well-being of their loved ones in the line of fire.

Of course, these are only a smattering of examples of the dramas we all live through each day. While I can’t supply the remedy to what confronts you or significantly ease your physical or emotional pain, I just want you to know that I’m also thinking about you today.

If you happen to be engaged in fighting one of these private battles of your own, I want you to know that I’m pulling for you, sending you positive thoughts, and that I wish you great strength in your battle. Whether you’re waging this fight surrounded by those who love you or find yourself alone to fend for yourself, please know this: Just as my heart aches and my thoughts go out to the victims in Boston and West Texas, I’m also thinking about and rooting for you today too.